Chapter 70

It was a rare sunny day in London in winter. The sun shone through the manor's tall French windows, casting long, slanted spots of light on the thick carpet. The Spring Festival arrived amidst the foreign snowstorm.

Because my injuries had not healed and I was not suitable for long-distance travel, Brother Qi finally compromised with a sullen face and left me in the UK.

So, I was taken to the Atobe family's old manor on the outskirts of London by Keigo Atobe, and I completely lived the life of a "useless person" with everything provided for me.

The timetable of the atomic part is cut with precision.

He would wake up in the morning to handle emails and international meetings, complete his morning classes via video conferencing, and in the afternoon, he would unwaveringly attend to his family's business in the UK. And every moment he spent there was filled with his attention.

The thick stack of college entrance examination simulation papers sent by my seventh brother became a unique connection between us.

In the study room of the manor with a high dome and a long oak table, the only sounds were often the turning of papers and the rustling of pens. He processed complex financial models in front of the computer screen, while I was busy working on math problems. The air was filled with a quiet warmth of our own hard work.

The only point of dispute was my "right to walk".

"I can really walk by myself!" I tried to struggle for the umpteenth time, pointing to my intact feet in protest.

Atobe's slender finger pointed precisely at a thin scar on my calf that hadn't completely faded from pink and was scratched by a thorn. "No."

His tone was firm and unyielding. He strode over, bent down, and passed his arms across my knees and back, lifting me up easily. His movements were as practiced as breathing. "The doctor's orders say you need to rest."

At first, it was a public execution.

My face was so hot I could fry an egg as he carried me up and down the spiral staircase, through the corridor covered with gorgeous Persian carpets, and even for a "walk" in the garden under the servants' well-trained, lowered but omnipresent gaze.

Young Master Atobe looked calm and walked steadily, as if what he was holding in his arms was not a living person, but a rare treasure that should be treated so preciously.

Over time, I got used to this way of moving.

Leaning on his strong and warm chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, and smelling the crisp cold pine scent mixed with a hint of bookish air on his body, became the most reassuring comfort in winter.

Except for absolutely private areas such as bathing and going to the toilet, he hardly relied on servants for anything else, such as feeding, handing water, and covering with blankets, and he was very meticulous.

Until one day, I pinched the soft flesh on my waist, which had obviously softened, and wailed in front of the dressing mirror: "Atobe Keigo! You developed your biceps and pecs by hugging me, right?"

"What about me? Look at me! Don't I look like the little piglet you've been raising so carefully?"

He had just finished his morning exercise and there was still a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. He walked over when he heard me, put his arms around me from behind, and rested his chin on the top of my head. His handsome face with a mischievous smile was reflected in the mirror.

He pinched the soft flesh of my cheek and nodded seriously: "Well, it feels very good. My breeding technique is gorgeous and impeccable." I was so angry that I bumped him with my elbow, but he easily resolved the issue with a smile.

It was rare for Atobe's parents to stay in the manor during this period.

After that horrific event, this usually busy couple seemed to slow down, devoting more time to their family. At the dinner table, Mrs. Atobe gently inquired about my taste and recovery. Mr. Atobe, though a quiet man, looked at me and me with a look that clearly showed a deep fear and a cherished feeling of having lost something.

New Year’s Eve.

Early in the morning, I was "dug" out of my warm bed by Tezuka.

He personally presented her with a meticulously prepared dress. A soft, matte cashmere gown, elegantly tailored and delicately embroidered with delicate hand-beaded detailing, she wore it over a matching tweed coat with a cuff, accessorized with a small beret and pearl earrings, giving her the quintessential British socialite look.

She clumsily but seriously combed my long hair, and tried to do a bun for me clumsily, but ultimately failed. I had to ask the maid for help, while she nervously watched from the side, picky about the angle of the hair accessories.

He himself also changed into a well-ironed dark gray three-piece suit, his tie was tied meticulously, and his cufflinks were low-key sapphires. He looked tall and dignified, and had regained the dazzling style of the former Ice Emperor.

After settling me down on the comfortable sofa in the living room, he headed straight into the kitchen.

Through the door, I could hear the slight clinking of pots and pans inside and his occasional whispered inquiries to the housekeeper, "Is this the light soy sauce?" and "Is this enough rock sugar?"

It is hard to imagine that Keigo Atobe, who is so good at strategizing in the business world and dominating on the court, would be busy in the kitchen making a few Chinese dishes.

But do I really need to wear a suit to cook? I was completely confused.

Finally, the noise in the kitchen subsided.

He came over to me with a light, everyday air, and sat down beside me in high spirits. The sofa sank a little, and his warm breath instantly enveloped me.

At this moment, my tablet rang with the ringtone of a video call invitation.

It was exactly eight o'clock in the evening China time, and the Long family's most lively annual New Year's Eve reunion dinner began.

The moment the video was connected, the huge round table and noisy voices almost broke through the screen.

The uncle's face was flushed, and the aunt smiled lovingly: "Oh, our Xiaojiu looks much better, and his face is rounder! The food in the UK is good! Isn't it said that white people's food is unpalatable? Why are you so fat?"

I immediately pointed at the "culprit" next to me and accused him: "It's all his fault! He feeds me like a pig every day, every meal!"

The camera immediately focused on Atobe. He straightened his back instantly, and an impeccable, yet slightly awkward, smile appeared on his face.

The eldest brother, Long Xuan, spoke in a gentle voice, full of concern: "Xiaojiu, how is your recovery? Does your wound still hurt?"

He looked at the screen carefully and smiled, "Well, he looks more energetic than before, and also... a little plumper. Mr. Atobe is good at taking care of people, and can he cook?"

Atobe quickly said modestly, with a hint of barely perceptible nervousness: "You're too kind. I've only just learned a few simple Chinese dishes and am still in the exploratory stage."

He placed his hand at his side and quietly pinched my fingers under the cover of the sofa cushion.

The serious and old-fashioned face of the second brother Long Yun appeared in the camera, his brows habitually furrowed: "The Spring Festival is a day for family reunion. Xiaojiu, you must come back next year. After all, staying away is not a long-term solution." His tone was imperative.

I shrank my neck and said timidly, "I understand, brother. I will definitely come back next year..."

Before he finished speaking, the face of the sixth brother Long Yang, which had a bit of a charlatan temperament, squeezed in and said proudly: "What do you think, Xiaojiu? Was the prediction made by the sixth brother correct? 'There will be good news when you go east'! Look, isn't it fulfilled! Good news is coming!" He winked and glanced at Jibe meaningfully.

"Bullshit!" A thunderous roar erupted from the screen, followed by the piercing sound of a chair being slammed aside. The camera shook violently, revealing the Seventh Brother, his face flushed red, leaping to his feet and reaching across the table to grab the Sixth Brother by the collar.

"What a crap happy occasion! You almost lost your life! Sooner or later I will smash those broken plates and bowls of yours!"

"Hey! It's New Year's Day! What a scene!" The deep and rich voice of the fifth brother Long Han rang out. A big hand like a palm-leaf fan firmly held down the furious seventh brother, and the other hand easily separated the sixth brother who tried to slip away.

The fifth brother's towering figure, like a mountain, had a naturally intimidating effect. He glanced at his two younger brothers expressionlessly, "If you want to fight, do it in the yard after dinner. Don't scare the children."

The sixth and seventh brothers immediately stopped talking and sat back awkwardly.

Fourth sister-in-law's gentle voice, tinged with a smile, smoothed things over: "Alright, alright, stop making a fuss. Xiaojiu, look how lively our home is this year. Maybe next Spring Festival, we'll have more people at our table, right?"

Her smiling eyes moved between me and Atobe on the screen, the hint couldn't be more obvious.

Atobe and I froze at the same time. My face flushed, and Atobe coughed uncomfortably, his ears turning red.

Before we could recover from the ambiguous banter, the clear voice of the Fifth Sister-in-law interrupted again, with a bit of straightforwardness, "Hey, Xiaojiu! Let Atobe-kun show his face more! I only listened to his voice! The Fifth Sister-in-law will check you out, you can't be not handsome! If your genes are not good enough, what will happen if the baby you give birth to in the future is not good-looking?"

"Fifth sister-in-law!" I was so embarrassed that I wanted to crawl into the ground. My cheeks were burning hot, so I quickly shifted my focus, "Myna! Myna, have you found someone? The one I mentioned last time..."

Long Chang, the mynah bird who had been trying hard to reduce his presence in the corner of the screen, immediately wailed: "Xiaojiu! You are so mean! You dragged your mynah bird out to take the blame on New Year's Day! I love you in vain!" He covered his heart exaggeratedly, causing everyone at the table to laugh.

Amidst the clamor and bustle of fireworks, the deafening crackle of firecrackers rang out from the other side of the screen! Then, the excited screams of children echoed, "Fireworks! Fireworks! Red envelopes!"

"Look! The fireworks purchased by Liuyang this year are very good!" Fourth brother Long Che's voice was full of satisfaction.

The camera immediately panned out the window. Dazzling fireworks exploded in the night sky, illuminating the smiling, familiar faces in front of the screen. The bouncing figures of nephews and nieces swayed by the window.

Amidst the dazzling backdrop and the bustling sounds of the crowd, we exchanged New Year's greetings before reluctantly hanging up the video call. The room suddenly fell silent, leaving only the crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace and the gentle breathing of the people around us.

Atobe seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, the awkwardness on his face completely gone, and he regained his usual gorgeous confidence. He stood up and said with a mysterious smile, "Wait a moment."

After a while, he came in pushing a dining cart covered with a snow-white tablecloth.

On the dining car were several steaming hot Chinese dishes that surprisingly looked quite good - shiny and tempting braised pork, bright red sweet and sour spare ribs, and plum juice spare ribs that exuded the sweet and sour aroma of plums.

"Try it," he raised his chin slightly, a little proudly, "My cooking skills are quite magnificent."

The tone was completely different from the humble and cautious appearance he had shown in front of the Long family just now.

Atobe's parents and housekeeper also came in at the right time.

The public areas of the entire manor have been carefully decorated. Bright red Chinese knots are hung high, auspicious spring couplets are pasted on the carved doorposts, and exquisite paper-cut window grilles are pasted on the window glass. The rich Chinese red instantly dilutes the foreign winter and also soothes the homesickness in my heart.

The warm and sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner was held in the warm light of the fireplace and the room was filled with Chinese red.

After dinner, Atobe immediately wrapped me in a thick, fluffy white down coat, complete with hat, scarf, and gloves, making me look like a moving polar bear. Then, he steadily picked me up and walked onto the spacious terrace.

The cold winter night wind was instantly blocked out by the thick fabric. A lounge chair covered with a thick blanket had already been prepared on the terrace. He held me and sat down, holding me tightly in his arms, using his broad chest to shield me from the cold wind blowing from the side.

"Look." His low voice sounded above his head.

I looked up.

The dark night was completely ignited.

In the open space in front of the manor, countless fireworks shot straight into the sky with sharp whistling sounds, and then exploded at the highest point.

Golden chrysanthemums, silver willows, flaming trees, shooting stars…red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, the brilliant light instantly filled the entire field of vision, illuminating the winter night on the banks of the Thames as bright as day.

A massive roar echoed across the empty field, shaking the floor beneath his feet and his heart. The dazzling fireworks reflected in Atobe's deep blue eyes, like a whole galaxy falling.

A brilliant light flickered on his handsome profile. He lowered his head, and his warm lips gently pressed against the top of my head. His voice was drowned out by the roar of the fireworks, yet it pierced through all the noise and reached deep into my heart:

"Xiao Yin, I will spend the New Year with you every year from now on."